A COMPANY providing websites for small business has plans to expand and take on more staff after securing 12,000 customers.

Five years after starting with a staff of four, Webworks Internet now employs 30 people at its Darlington head office, and in March opened premises in Leeds with ten workers.

The company produces and hosts websites for small businesses primarily around the UK, but has signed up clients from as far afield as Australia and has just signed up its 12,000th client.

With its offices in Eastmount Road full to capacity, it is now looking to expand its operations and is looking at further office space in the same complex it already occupies.

Sales manager Tim Moor said: “The company has grown rapidly, considering it started in one room with two desks. We want to expand our Darlington office and take on more staff.

“We have already taken on seven more people this year and opened our office in Leeds.

“We want to open more offices around the country, so we can have regional bases, and are looking at Manchester next.

“Although most of our work is done over the telephone, a lot of people like to speak face-to-face, where we can come in to see them.”

Customers range from doctors and dentists to florists, painters and decorators, and even dog beauticians.

During the past two years the company, founded by Gerard Brogan in 2004, has increased turnover by 40 per cent year on year and is expecting turnover of £2m this year.

Mr Moor believed the need for businesses to have a web presence, and the fact Webworks carried out their requests in a clear concise way, were reasons it was flourishing, despite the economic downturn.

He said: “It is because the internet is the way to advertise and go forward. It is an investment.

“We have a reputation we have built on and do something quite different.

“It is more accessible without the jargon. A lot of people we speak to don’t know a lot about setting up a website, so we break it down for them.”

Webworks specialises in website design, web hosting, email, search engine submission and other internet services.

It can also provide professional voice overs and flash animation to make websites stand out.

Customers are sent a pack to fill in and once the company receives it back its aims to complete the website within ten working days.

Further details are available at webworksinternet.com